DES MOINES, Iowa — After trailing by as many as 23 points, the Maine Red Claws (9-14) were able to cut their defecit to just one point in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, but came up short as the Iowa Energy (15-8) were able to hang on for the 98-94 victory on Thursday.
The Red Claws began the game on a 7-0 run, with Frank Gaines scoring five of his seven first-quarter points in the first two minutes of the game. Iowa answered back, going on a 12-2 run to claim the lead. The two teams traded baskets back and fourth with Kalin Lucas scoring nine points in the period for Iowa as the Energy held a slim 20-18 advantage heading into the second quarter.
The Energy took control in the second quarter, out-scoring Maine 30-17 in the frame. The Red Claws were held to just 26.3 percent (5-19) shooting from the field and turned the ball over eight times, resulting in 12 of Iowa’s points in the quarter as the Energy pushed their lead to 50-35 heading into the half.
Iowa came out of the locker room and started the second half on a 13-5 run to push their lead to 23 points, their lagest of the game, with 9:53 remaining in the third quarter. The Red Claws were able to answer. Shooting 52.2 percent (12-23) from the floor in the quarter, Maine out-scored Iowa 26-17 for the remainder of the frame, cutting the Iowa lead to 14 points heading into the final frame.
Rookie guard Frank Gaines put the Red Claws on his back in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 of his career-high 35 points in the final 12 minutes. Maine went on a 19-8 run to open the quarter to cut the Iowa lead to just three points with 4:37 remaining. Kalin Lucas was able to stop the bleeding, hitting a 3-point field goal to push the Iowa lead to 91-85. The Red Claws answered back with another run, this time to the tune of 9-4 to cut the Energy’s lead to 95-94 with 45 seconds remaining in the game. Iowa left the door open, as Glen Rice, Jr., on assignment with Iowa from the Washington Wizards, missed a jump shot with 25.9 seconds remaining, and after a Chris Wright missed layup, Rice missed one of two free throws to push the Iowa lead to 96-94 with 8.7 seconds remaining. Following a Maine timeout, Frank Gaines found the ball in his hands and took the ball to the basket, but his layup attempt prooved to be too strong. Patrick Christopher was able to connect on two free throws to put the game out of reach and secure the win for the Energy.
Nine of the 10 players that started the game finished in double figures. Iowa State alum Chris Babb finished with 13 points and eight rebounds for Maine, while Chris Wright finished with a season-low 12 points, but was able to extend his double-digit scoring streak to 37-consecutive regular season games. Ty Walker recorded a double-double for Maine, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while blocking three shots. Kalin Lucas scored a team-high 30 points for Iowa, while Glen Rice, Jr. finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
The Red Claws will return to Maine to take on division rival Fort Wayne on Saturday night at the Portland Expo Building. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm.
NOTES: Maine’s two newest players, Daniel Orton and Tyler Brown, who were acquired in the four-team, five-player trade late Wednesday, were inactive for the game. Orton was with the team in Iowa, while Brown will join the team in Maine. Corey Allmond was active for the game.
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